United States

GE launches 1.7MW turbine

UNITED STATES: GE has used AWEA Windpower 2013 to launch its 1.7MW turbine, an optimised version of the 1.6MW 1.6-100 model introduced in 2010.

The new turbine is an upgrade of the existing 1.6MW machine

The 1.6-100 featured a record low 204W per square metre specific power rating and was specifically developed for high yields at low and medium class III wind sites.

The 1.7-100 is GE's second turbine to receive the "brilliant" branding in its portfolio.

It incorporates electrical system upgrades and industrial internet capabilities such as data-handling and networking capability.

Similar product features were introduced earlier this year in GE's 2.5-120 first "brilliant" turbine, which is currently undergoing prototype tests in the Netherlands and was also developed for lower wind speed environments.

GE's "brilliant" product platform aims to help manage wind's variability by providing short-term predictable power while communicating seamlessly with neighbouring turbines, service technicians and operators.

The 1.7-100 is claimed to generate 6% more energy compared with the 1.6-100, both likely at 7.5m/s average wind speed.

A 6% increase in power rating with an unchanged rotor size reduces the 1.7-100's capacity factor to 53% compared to 54% for the 1.6-100, both at 7.5 m/s.

These figures show that a focus on maximised capacity could run contrary to the more general goal of greater annual production and a lower cost of energy.

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